Special Adviser on Media to Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Ugochukwu Emezue, said yesterday that the state government had received about N3 billion from the federal government as bailout fund.
The government, however, said that the total arrears of salary owed workers in the state was about N6 billion.
He said the government would soon commence payment.
The Special Adviser added that the ongoing verification exercise was responsible for the delay in payment of May salary.
“Those who have completed the exercise have been paid May salary and will soon receive that of June”, he said.
Emezue dismissed rumour that Governor Ikpeazu was not ready to pay the arrears of salary owed Abia workers, adding, “the money is here and Governor Ikpeazu is looking inwards to augment the money and clear the arrears”.
“Current salaries are being paid, though some agencies have not received theirs. The governor has vowed not to owe genuine workers. He also demands cooperation of the workers in this direction”, he said.